From Weeding to Porcelain: An Alpine Garden's Story

High above Kitzbühel, Austria, at an altitude of 1800 meters, lies a unique 20,000-square-meter alpine flower garden, a testament to a family's passion for horticulture. Barbara Schmidt now manages this expansive garden, which was pioneered by her parents in the mid-1980s. They were avid travelers and plant enthusiasts, inspired by journeys to Asia, which led them to create this extraordinary space on a rugged alpine meadow.

The garden features a diverse collection of plants, including flora from the Himalayas, which have historically thrived in the climate. Schmidt notes that recent years have presented challenges due to changing weather patterns, but points out that even classic alpine species like the Edelweiss migrated from Asia after the last ice age. Plants such as the Platenigl, a primrose relative, flourish in the moist conditions left by melting snow that protects them during winter.

Schmidt, with the help of gardeners, meticulously tends to a variety of alpine flowers, including Chinese Trollblumen, Zottiges Habichtskraut, and Alpen-Mannstreu. She commutes to the garden regularly on an e-bike, preferring it over a car to avoid potential damage from curious cows. Her approach to gardening is characterized by a blend of expertise and a casual, down-to-earth demeanor.

Describing herself as someone who genuinely enjoys weeding, Schmidt acknowledges the significant expertise required for garden maintenance. She expresses a touch of melancholy that establishing new alpine gardens is becoming increasingly rare. Beyond her work in the garden, Schmidt also operates a porcelain workshop at her family's farm, showcasing another facet of her creative endeavors. She embodies an authentic, unpretentious spirit characteristic of Kitzbühel.